The Department of Natural Resources today announced that it will operate far fewer check stations for deer this fall and they will be open significantly fewer hours.

The DNR's plans are to close more than half of its 125 check stations and operate the remaining stations only during the Nov. 15-30 firearms season. During other hunting seasons -- archery, youth and muzzleloader -- hunters will have to take their deer to DNR operation service centers during select hours.

"We just don't have the funds to staff check stations at our past levels," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason, who estimated the changes will save the division more than a half million dollars. "We can't afford to keep doing business the way we have in the past."

The decision to reduce check stations was necessary in the wake of increasing budget cuts in both General Fund and Game and Fish Protection Fund dollars. DNR Wildlife Division officials say that reducing check stations will not impact the quality of biological information collected and the mail survey will continue to provide the harvest data necessary to make management decisions.

The final list of check stations for the upcoming firearm deer season and their hours of operation will be announced as fall approaches.